Authentic Korean food with a wide variety of categories

Arirang Restaurant | Ann Arbor’s New (to Me!) Korean Spot – Tasty, Varied, & Worth Exploring! I recently got hooked on a new (well, new to me!) Korean restaurant—Arirang! It’s about a 10-minute drive from U-M’s central campus. Heads up: lunchtime gets busy, so service can be spotty if you walk in—but booking a table ahead of time speeds things up a ton. The menu’s huge (you could eat here a week straight without repeating dishes!), the flavors are solid, and it’s pretty affordable. Only downsides: slow food service and so-so staff attention. Let’s dive in 🇰🇷! 🥢 Banchan: The Sliced Egg Steals the Show They bring out 4 small side dishes, and the sliced (marinated egg) is the star! It’s sweet-savory (leaning a little sweet), with a tender yolk—so good I could’ve eaten a whole plate of just that. The other banchan are standard (pickled veggies, etc.), but that egg alone makes the pre-meal wait fun 😋. 🍖 Galbi: Tasty but a Little Hit-or-Miss Their galbi (marinated short ribs) has potential, but consistency is an issue: The good: The marinade is perfect—not too sweet (thank goodness, since so many spots drown galbi in sugar!). It’s balanced (salty-sweet), and the edges get nice and crispy on the (grill). The bad: The bottom layer of ribs was totally burnt—charred black, inedible. Not sure if it’s a one-time grill mistake or a regular issue, but it’s a bummer when you lose a few pieces. Still, the edible parts were tasty enough to recommend. 🥘 Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup): Rival to My Favorite Spot! I used to be obsessed with Bewon’s samgyetang, but Arirang’s version is just as good—maybe even better in some ways! The chicken is a little dry (Bewon’s is juicier), but the broth makes up for it: rich, fragrant, and packed with ginseng flavor. They even add sticky rice to the soup, which soaks up all the goodness. Warm, nourishing, and a must-try if you love Korean comfort food 🐔! 🌶️ Haemul Tang (Spicy Seafood Stew): Fresh but a Little Salty This stew is solid—spicy, briny, and loaded with seafood: crunchy small shrimp, clams, squid, plus tofu, bean sprouts, and cabbage. The broth is super flavorful (you can taste the fresh seafood!), but it’s a bit spicy (adjustable if you ask) and has a faint MSG aftertaste. Still, it’s hearty and satisfying—great with a bowl of rice 🍚. 🐄 Beef Intestine Stew: Big Portions, Bold Flavor If you love beef intestines, this is a winner! It’s a huge pot of spicy soup with tons of intestines (no skimping here!). The intestines are cooked just right—tender but not rubbery—though they have a slight gamey smell (normal for intestines, but worth noting if you’re sensitive). It comes with the same veggies as the seafood stew, and the portion is big enough for 3+ people. Perfect for sharing on a cold day. 💰 Final Verdict: $15–40 Per Person, Will Be Back! Arirang has no major misses—just solid Korean food with bold flavors (though it’s a little heavy on salt overall). The menu’s so varied, I’m already planning my next visit to try their bibimbap and stir-fries. If you don’t mind waiting a bit for food and don’t need top-tier service, this is a great addition to Ann Arbor’s Korean food scene. #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #Michigan #AnnArborFood #KoreanFood #KoreanCuisine #MichiganFood #AnnArborEats #AnnArbor